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Help: desperately reposting this "Geophysics programs"

Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:34 pm
by randomnick7
Hello guys, I am thinking of applying to a geophysics grad program but I do not find so much information in old posts. Does anyone know something about the chances of admission to top programs? Is it equally competitive as in theoretical physics?

Re: Help: desperately reposting this "Geophysics programs"

Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 3:45 pm
by Minovsky
You're not getting any responses because people here are interested in "pure" physics (or astronomy/astrophysics) programs. Geophysics programs generally reside in earth science departments and not in regular physics departments. As such, there is probably no one here that can answer your geophysics questions. You're simply asking the wrong people. Have you tried asking the departments themselves?

Re: Help: desperately reposting this "Geophysics programs"

Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 4:07 pm
by TakeruK
You could also try looking at http://thegradcafe.com, which has discussion forums for the graduate application process, being a grad student, etc. for all disciplines!

My undergrad was in physics/astrophysics, masters in astronomy and now I'm at a Planetary Science program in the US (so I'm an international student too!) and here, Geophysics and Planetary Sciences are grouped in the same department. I think most of the Geophysics students here come from geophysics undergrad programs but I think cross-discipline fields, such as geophysics, tend to accept strong students from a variety of backgrounds. I know that my cohort of planetary scientists are a mix of physics, astronomy, geology, and earth science undergrads!

So, my short and educated guess would be that having a theoretical physics background isn't going to rule you out of many programs. What's important is to demonstrate that you show and motivate your desire to do a Geophysics PhD. But I would recommend you talk to geophysics departments and check out thegradcafe forums linked above!

Re: Help: desperately reposting this "Geophysics programs"

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 8:16 pm
by johnhucsen
I don't know much about geophysics either, but you might get answers from geophysics forum, there are a lot of experts in geophysics there: http://forum.detectation.com